History

Probably the first thing that travelers notice when they first dig deeper in understanding the nation of Myanmar is that the history of the nation runs incredibly deep.  History of this incredibly rich country dates back to the time when the Romans ruled Europe, more than 2000 years ago. Not many civilizations last this long, but this incredibly resilient race of people have managed to stand the test of time and still retain much of their culture and heritage which dates back to ancient times.
Myanmar began its existence under the Mon civilization when the Mons began migrating to the area which is now Myanmar in around 300 BC.  The Mons became the Pyu and then eventually the Burmans.  It was around this time that Myanmar was born and became a vital stop along the trade routes between India and China.
In 1753 a popular Burmese leader named Alaungpaya drove out the existing rulers and conquered all of what is now called Myanmar establishing the capital of Yangon that still exists to very day. The country’s first noted western explorer was Marco Polo who introduced Myanmar to the Western World.
One of the biggest turning points in the history of Burma was in the 19th century when many of the kings and local administrators were stripped of their power by the British, who ruled until 1948 when the nation gained its independence as the Union of Burma.
The Burmese culture dates back practically as long as the history, and has formed as a result of influences from India and China. These can be witnessed practically everywhere as a stupas can be found everywhere across the nation and bear a strong resemblance to those of northern India. As in Thailand, Theravada Buddhism is the most prevalent religion. Additionally, there are other religions in minority numbers including Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.
The Bamar people are the majority in the country, however there are a significant number of ethnic minorities, each with their own unique culture. The Bamar people make up for approximately 47% of the population. Ethnic groups are generally confined to states, with the largest minority being the Shan and Kachin people.
Generally speaking, most Burmese people are incredibly friendly and polite, and will do their best to make you feel welcome in their country.